Monday, September 14, 2009

Achieve

This past week I had the fabulous experience of visiting Atlanta, GA, in the role of ExecuMate speaker and seminar leader. What great folks with true Southern hospitality! Thank you!

After addressing the 'Believe: physical, mental, spiritual' aspect, focus is then turned to the 'Achieve' aspect.

Through an exercise, ExecuMates learn how to identify or confirm their passions...those things that fill up that cup of happiness inside. So what is a passion?

As a child through college, I played classical piano. Even as a youngster, if my mother would settle me long enough to sit on a piano bench, then the rest was a breeze. It would be time that would literally fly away...

So, this is how I describe passion to those who are trying to identify it: Something in your life that you engage in that makes time fly. You enjoy it so much you cannot believe something else requires your attention as hours have passed.

After identifying your passion, make a plan for the vehicles that get you from point A to point B. It could be education, resourcing others, the internet, or just digging in that gets you to your passion. Discover how it will be useful.

Filling one's happiness cup is essential before spilling it over to the relationship. I like the analogy of being on the plane, and when the oxygen mask falls, you must put it on yourself before helping others.

Accountability is critical. The first sign of immaturity is blaming other for your unhappiness. YOU discover your passion; YOU make the plan; YOU carry it through.

Enjoy the new adventure, the new conversations, and the improved YOU!